Report: Votto Signs $225M Deal With Reds

Reports indicate the Cincinnati Reds could be close to reaching a deal with first baseman Joey Votto. And it will be a big one.

Votto told reports in Arizona on Monday that a deal is close. It appears that deal will keep him with the Reds for the next decade.

It's believed the length of the deal is between eight to 10 years, which would place him in the same range as the mega-contracts signed by Albert Pujols with the Los Angeles Angels of Amaheim and Ryan Howard with the Detroit Tigers.

ESPN.com said Votto and the Cincinnati Reds agreed Monday on the framework to a 10-year, $225 million extension.

Votto said earlier this spring that the length of his next contract was more important to him than the total dollars. He just turned 28 years old and this will be the last big contract Votto will sign in his career.

That desire aside, sources told WLWT's Ken Broo that the total dollars in this deal will exceed $200 million, some of which may be deferred, much like what the Reds did with Ken Griffey Jr.'s contract.

One of the big outstanding questions is where the Reds are getting the money to pay the contract. There's been talk of a new television deal with FOX Sports.

And does this signal the end of the road for second baseman Brandon Phillips in Cincinnati? Phillips is in the final year of his contract. Early last month, Phillips said he doesn't expect to be with the Reds past this season.

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